Frequently Asked Questions
Taking part
Q. Do I need a reservation for Lantern Floating?
No reservation is needed. Anyone can take part on the day.
Q. Where are the lanterns floated?
They are floated within Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, in the area from Motoyasu Bridge to Aioi Bridge. Lanterns are floated from the waterside terrace on the Motoyasu River (Riverbank area facing the Atomic Bomb Dome).
Q. Is there a participation fee?
If you only watch, there is no fee. However, there is a fee for those who float a lantern.We ask for 1,000 yen (tax included) as the lantern purchase fee.
If you only watch, there is no fee.
Q. Is the event held in the rain?
It is held in light rain.
If it is cancelled, we will announce it on the website and elsewhere.
Q. Can small children take part?
Yes.
The venue is dark, so we recommend that small children take part together with a guardian.
Q. Where can I watch Lantern Floating?
You can watch freely from the banks of the Motoyasu River or from the bridges.
The waterside terrace where lanterns are floated gets very crowded, so please refrain from staying there after you have floated your lantern.
About the lanterns
Q. Can I buy a lantern in advance?
From around April each year, you can buy lantern sheets in advance at the shop in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Rest House.
Q. Can I float a lantern I made myself?
Lantern Floating is run with the lantern fees you pay, so we ask that you buy your lantern on site if possible. You may float a lantern you made yourself, but materials that cause pollution, such as plastic or Styrofoam, cannot be used. A lantern made only of paper can be floated. Note that once a lantern has been floated, it cannot be retrieved.
Q. What is the difference between "float it yourself" and "entrust your lantern"?
"Float it yourself" is a method where you float the lantern yourself from the waterside terrace.
"Entrust your lantern" is a method where the organizers float it for you, one by one, from the "lantern boat."
"Float it yourself" draws many participants, so there may be a long wait before you can float your lantern.
Q. What do people usually write on the lanterns?
Originally, people wrote the names of the deceased or of the person floating the lantern in remembrance. Today, many people write a peace message expressing their hopes for peace.
Q. What kinds of lantern paper are there?
There are two kinds of paper: Standard, which comes in red, blue, yellow, pink, orange, green, and white.
And, since 2013, you can also use "Orizuru recycled paper," made by recycling the paper cranes offered at the Children's Peace Monument.
Q. Where do I receive the wooden frame and candle?
For "float it yourself," you receive them from staff at the waterside terrace just before floating your lantern, and assemble them together with the lantern sheet.
Q. Do the floated lanterns drift all the way to the sea?
No. Out of concern for the environment and for fisheries, the lanterns are now collected downstream and incinerated. In the past, some lanterns are said to have drifted as far as the Shikoku area.
Q. How is the lantern fee used?
It is used for making the wooden frames, paper, setup on the day, operating the lantern boats, security, cleanup, and so on.
Q. Can I also float a lantern from the Atomic Bomb Dome side?
The lantern floating on the Atomic Bomb Dome side is run by a different organization from Lantern Floating Ceremony Exective Committe and is outside the committee's purview.
The flow on the day
Q. Where is registration held on the day?
There are 4 to 5 reception tents within Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, so please stop by any of them. For details, please see Access.
Q. Please tell me the flow from registration to floating a lantern.
(1) If you entrust your lantern
Apply for "entrust your lantern" at the reception, choose the application form or a lantern sheet, and write your message. The organizers float the lanterns one by one from the "lantern boat" sailing between the Atomic Bomb Dome and Motoyasu Bridge.
(2) If you float it yourself after applying at the reception, receive a lantern sheet and write your message. From 6:00 p.m., go to the entrance of the waterside terrace on the west side of Motoyasu Bridge; follow the staff's guidance, and line up. After going down to the riverside, receive the wooden frame and candle, assemble your lantern, and float your lantern. * Citizen volunteers help with assembly and lighting.
Q. If I float it myself, from what time can I do so?
From 6:00 p.m.. Please follow the staff's instructions.
Q. How long is the wait for "float it yourself"?
As a guide, about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Q. If I entrust my lantern, when is it floated?
They are floated one by one from the "lantern boat."
Q. When is it most crowded?
It is most crowded from about 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Safety & rules
Q. Can I go into the river?
No. For everyone's safety, please never do this.
Q. Can I film with a drone?
No. Drone filming is prohibited on the premises.
Q. Can I shoot with a professional camera or a tripod?
Yes, but please do so where you will not disturb others. If you shoot at the waterside terrace, please be considerate not to get in the way of people floating lanterns, and move on promptly afterward.
Access & parking
Q. What is the nearest station to the venue?
The "Genbaku Dome-mae" streetcar stop. For details, please see Access.
Q. Can I come by car? Is there parking?
Heavy crowds are expected on the day. There is no dedicated parking, so we recommend using public transportation.
Q. Are there traffic restrictions around the venue?
Yes. For details, please contact the City of Hiroshima Citizens' Safety Promotion Division (ceremony traffic restrictions), TEL: +81-82-504-2714.
Other questions
Q. Who runs Lantern Floating Ceremony?
It is run by the Hiroshima Central Shopping District Federation and many citizen volunteers who support Lantern Floating Ceremony.
Q. Who performs at the "Lantern Floating Music Ceremony" from 17:30?
Volunteer musicians. For details, please see the flyer for the "Lantern Floating Music Ceremony."
Q. Where can I find information about future events?
We publish information on the official website around June each year.